Sure the implementation could be better, like a followup link/swipe for more info, but a kid was missing. I knew if I saw a blue Versa with that license plate I could call the police and help that kid out.

I could have taken a second to google it if I wanted the full story, but the point of the notification was to make people look around altogether at once for a moment.

Why do so many people seem so upset about being woken up by an Amber alert? They've got to improve the notifications but I don't mind being bothered for a second every once in a while if it could do some good in a big way.

Dropbox doesn't allow encryption because it breaks their web features and costs them money by preventing data de-duplication. It's a function of cost and backend convenience.

For example, Dropbox has a hash of each file in every user's account. If you place a file in your Dropbox that already exists on the server, the file will appear in your own Dropbox without any need to physically transmit the data to Dropbox's servers. This same principle is used for data de-duplication in their datacenters. If Dropbox permitted client-side encryption these features would not function. Encryption would also complicate giving third-party apps access to portions of your Dropbox (i.e. nearly every mobile app's desired usage).

For what its worth, I encrypt my sensitive files in Dropbox using BoxCryptor and leave anything non-private in Dropbox itself for convenient access. I don't mind if the NSA takes a look at my schoolwork or saved news articles. My financial records and personal correspondence are locked up tight, but only accessible on devices with BoxCryptor installed.

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires that certain types of websites ask for birth dates so that parental consent can be obtained before a child under 13 signs up. Maybe the site has no personal reason to know your birthday, but they could get in some serious trouble for failing to ask. See, for a brief overview, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act. Those of us lucky enough to live in California have an even stricter version at the state level.

Anyone who was once thirteen can guess whether or not a thirteen-year-old will actually ask for their parents permission before clicking through, but thats another issue.

The hospital you work for seems to both 1) expect you check your email at home and 2) comply with their own intrusive network security demands. Why not tell them about/show them your computer running Ubuntu or Solaris? If their software won't work on your machine they'll either have to provide you with a work computer or release you from checking your email outside of work.

If the reality is that your employer is going to force him/herself into your home, don't go without a fight.